There are rumors of a mid-January Arctic blast coming to the Midwest and eastern seaboard, but down here in the Sunshine State, we wouldn’t know much about that. We’re too busy riding bikes and enjoying the warm weather and great outdoor scenery Florida has to offer.

This winter, from Feb. 29 to March 3, 2016, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), with support from Alert Today Florida, is hosting our premier Florida Sojourn—an exploration of the Greater Miami region’s growing trail network.

Black Creek Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman

Beginning at the sandy shores of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, participants (of all ages) will be treated to an incredible four-day ride on unique keys and causeways, past beautiful ocean overlooks and along enrapturing mangrove-lined jetties. All on two wheels, we’ll make our way to the doorstep of Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States!

The juxtaposition of the Miami skyline with the natural wonders of south Florida makes the Miami-to-Everglades Tour an unforgettable experience.

Trails in the Miami region are growing and connecting. For example, the M-Path and Old Cutler Trail are revolutionizing how Miami residents and visitors navigate the city. On the Rickenbacker Trail, which traverses the length of beautiful Key Biscayne Bay, iguana sightings are all but guaranteed. Take note: Views from the top of the causeway spanning the bay are jaw-dropping, and many of Miami’s most dedicated riders love to include the bridge in their routes. The South Dade Trail—which stretches from South Miami to Florida City—is nothing less than an urban adventure, and the Black Creek Trail offers connections to some of the region’s great natural areas and cultural sites, including Biscayne National Park and Zoo Miami, Florida’s oldest zoo.

Rickenbacker Trail | Photo by Ken Bryan

There are also nascent paths like the Ludlam Trail and Biscayne – Everglades Greenway that have yet to see the bright lights of the “completed trails” mainstage. Along with RTC, sojourn riders will learn about what it takes to complete these corridors and what everyone can do to push trail development forward—in Miami and in their own backyards. This ride is so much more than just a bike trip. It’s a journey into the world of trail development at its best, and it’s one that you don’t want to miss. Florida is an incredible state, and it’s only getting better with the addition of regional trail systems.

From the warm sand of south Florida, I extend a personal invitation to join us in February.